Apparatus for developing moving-picture films.



M. F. MACDONALD.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING MOVING PICTURE FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10,1915

1,252,599. Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

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MEGMIIHDMMEUUUU O [HIMMMDIIHUUDUDBH O A/i FMacJona/d WON-neon as M. F. MACDONALD.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING MOVING PICTURE FILMS.

APPLICATION FiLED NOV. 10, 1915.

1,252,599. Patmted Jan. 8,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M F/Wacdbncr/d MAYNARD FORBES MACDONALD, OF VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING MOVING-PICTURE FILMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

Application filed November 10, 1915. Serial No. 60,786.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NIAYNARD Forums Mac- DONALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Victoria, in the Province of British Columbia and Dominion of Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Developing Moving-Picture Films, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the developing of photographic films, especially moving picture films, and comprises an apparatus for supporting it while it is being subjected to the developing fluid.

One object of the invention is to provide a convenient and durable means for supporting a long narrow film as a spiral coil in such a Way that the several convolutions of the coil are spaced apart and so held as to permit of free and easy access of developing liquid to all parts of the sensitized coating of the film. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and easily manipulated developing tray in which a reel of film, supported in the above described manner, may be mounted.

Still other objects of the invention will become. apparent from the accompanying description.

It is part of the well known prior art in developing photographic films to wind them in spiral form with the several convolutions spaced apart, but in almost every case the supporting means for the film was a continuous length of flexible material such as rubber. Such a supporting means was intended for, and is used in connection with, the comparatively short and wide ordinary camera films, although it has several disadvantages even when so used. As supporting means for moving picture films, however, it is found to be quite impracticable for many reasons. Being flexible and bulky it is difficult to prevent it from coming in contact with and injuring the sensitized coating of the film; because of the thickness of the material the roll of moving picture film would be very cumbersome and awkward to handle; the flexible material soon becomes warped and distorted, and, especially when composed of rubber, deteriorates rapidly when subjected to the developing solution; the cost of the material in the lengths required for use with moving picture films would be prohibitive.

All these disadvantages pertaining to the use of a flexible material as the supporting means for the film, are obviated in the device which I have invented and which I now no ceed to describe.

The new film support comprises a long chain composed of a series of small plates linked together. lhe plates are made of a non-flexible material, metal plates being preferred, and are so shaped as to prevent the sensitized coating of the film, which may be referred to as the image-containing portion of the film, and the corresponding portion of the reverse side of the film, from coming in contact with the surface of said plates, and to permit of ready access of fluid to all parts of the film.

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention,-

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing in full size a part of the new chain (with its film) wound upon a reel;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a side elevation of the coiled chain shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a section of the chain in full size showing the details of the plates;

Fig. t shows a section on the line 44 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the new plates, bringing out clearly the details thereof;

. Fig. 6 shows a plan of a modified form of plate;

Fig. 7 shows a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the device for fastening the free end of the chain;

Fig. 9 is a view of the same in side elevation;

Fig. 10 is another view of the same in front elevation;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the device for securing an end of the film to the chain;

Fig. 12 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 13 shows a vertical diametrical section of the developing tray, illustrating the manner in which the chain reel is mounted therein.

The chain C is composed of a series of plates 20 joined together by links 21 passing through holes 22 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 8). Each of the plates has projections on its surface such as the conical knobs 23 and positioned near the sides of the plate; these knobs or projections are so spaced that they do not come in contact witn the sensitized coating of the film, but touch the surface of the film near its two edges. One knob 23 on each side projects upward and another knob 2% on each side projects downward so as to prevent the layers of film above or below the plate from coming in contact with the main surface of said plate. The plate is also provided with apertures 25 to permit the free access of fluid to the film. Near the sides of the plate are raised portions or ridges cut away at the center to provide an opening 2? for the easy passage of fluid.

The raised portions 26 perform several functions. T hey serve to guide the film when it is being wound on the chain; they support the succeeding convolutions of the chain when the same is wound in spiral form; and they provide means whereby the end of the chain may be readily fastened to another portion thereof.

Various minor changes may be made in the shape of the plates without departing from my invention. Thus as shown in Fig. 6, they may be nrovided with projecting strips 28 adapted to be passed through slots 2%) and bent over so as to link one plate to another. In some cases it may be unnecessary to have knobs on both sides of the plate, and instead of having apertures 25 as shown the plate may be otherwise shaped as to permit of the ready passage of fluid from one face of the plate to the other.

The reel R, upon which the chain is to be wound comprises a hollow core 30 with perforations 31, and with a projecting finger 32 on which the end of the chain may be hooked. At diametrically opposite places on the sides of the core there are two extension strips 33 adapted to pass through and fasten the guide members 3 l to the core.

The film is attached to the chain by a spring clip 5% (Figs. 11 and 12), the rear end 55 of which is bent around the middle portion of the hook 56. This hook 56 is of such size as to engage the ridges 26 of the plates of the chain.

The fastening device for securing the outer end of the chain to an intermediate portion of the chain is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Plates 57 are coupled by springs 58 and are provided with hooks 59 so spaced apart as to fit into the grooves of the ridges 2G. The plates 57 are also provided at their centers with finger holds 60.

The developing tray (Fig. 13) consists of a pan 61 with cylindrical sides 62 and at its center an upright bolt 63 threaded at one end 64. A cover 66 has depending sides 67 adapted to fit snugly and telescopically with the sides 62 of the pan. At the center of the cover and securely fastened thereto is a hollow core (38 adapted to pass smoothly over the bolt 63 and on which the chain reel may be mounted. The threaded portion of the bolt (33 passes through a hole in the cover so that the latter may be firmly secured to the pan by the wing-nut G5.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows :t)ne end of the chain, which is almost completely wound on a reel is attached to the core of the reel R by hooking the end plate of the chain on to the finger 32. The end of the film is held by the spring clip the hooks of which are passed through the grooves of the ridges 26 of a plate near the end of the chain; the chain and film are then wound together until the entire film is supported by the chain. The outer end of the film is then fastened to the chain by the spring clip and the free end of the chain itself is fastened to a nearby plate J in the preceding convolution of the chain by the fastening device above described.

The reel of chain and film is then mounted on the core 68 of th cover of the developing tray. The developing solution is then placed in the pan and tne cover with its reel is placed in the pan and secured in position by screwing down the wing-nut 65 on the bolt 63. The cover above mentioned may, if desired, be detached and used as a separate tray for fixing solutions or otherwise.

Various changes in details may be made in the apparatus above described without departing from my invention which is understood to be limited only to the extent specified in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In an ap Jaratus for developing moving picture films a film support comprising a series of plates linked together and adapted to support a film extending over a plurality of said plates without injuring the film, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for developing moving picture films a film support comprising a se ries of plates linked together to form a chain and adapted to support a film extending over a plurality of said plates without injuring the film, at least some of said plates being so shaped to permit of easy passage of fluid from one face to the other face of said chain, substantially as described.

3. Tu an apparatus for developing moving picture films a film support comprising a series of plates linked together to form a chain and adapted to support a film extending over a plurality of said plates without injuring the film, at least some of said plates being provided with apertures to facilitate the access of fluid to the film, substantially a. described.

l. In an apparatus for developing moving picture films a film support comprising a series of plates linked together to form a chain and adapted to support a film extending over a plurality of said plates, and means for preventing the image-containing portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plates.

5. In an apparatus for developin moving picture films a film support comprising a series of plates linked together to form a chain and adapted to support a film extending over a plurality of said plates, t least some of said plates being provided with apertures, and means for preventing the image-containing portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plates.

6. As an element in a film supporting chain, a thin plate having on at least one of its faces projections adapted to contact with the marginal portion only of the surface of the film, and to prevent the image-containing portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plate, substantially as c escribed.

7. As an element in a film supporting chain, a thin plate having on both of its faces projections adapted to Contact with the marginal portion only of the surface of the film, and to prevent the image-containin g portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plate, substantially as described.

8. As an element in a film supporting chain, a thin metallic plate having on at least one of its faces knobs presenting a small supporting surface to the film, and adapted to contact with the marginal portions only of said film, substantially as described.

9. As an element in a film supporting chain, a thin metallic plate having on both of its faces knobs presenting a small supporting surface to the film, and adapted to contact with the marginal portions only of said film, substantially as described.

10. As an element in a film supporting chain, a thin metallic plate provided with an aperture and having on at least one of its faces knobs presenting a small supporting surface to the film, substantially as described.

11. As an element in a film supporting chain, a thin metallic plate provided with an aperture and having on both of its faces knobs presenting a small supporting surface to the film, substantially as described.

12. As an element in a film supporting chain a plate havin means for preventing the image-containing portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plate and means to guide the film, substantially as described.

13. As an element in a film supporting chain a plate provided with an aperture and having means for preventing the image-containing portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plate and means to guide the film, substantially as described.

1%. As an element in a film supporting chain a plate having means for preventing the imagecontaining portion of the film from contacting with the surface of said plate, means for attaching said plate to another plate, and means to guide the film, substantially as described.

As an element in a film supporting chain a plate provided with an aperture and having means for preventing the film from contacting with the main surface of said plate, means for attaching said plate to another plate, and means to guide the film, substantially as described.

16. An apparatus for developing photographic films which comprises a cylindrical developing pan, a cover for said pan, a reel comprising a hollow core with a film sup porting chain attached thereto, means for mounting said reel in said cover, and means centrally located with respect to said pan for securing said cover to the pan, substantially as described.

17. An apparatus for developing moving picture films which comprises a developing tray, a reel comprising a hollow perforated core attached to one end of a chain made up of a series of apertured plates linked together, and means for mounting said reel in said tray, substantially as described.

18. An apparatus for developing moving picture films which comprises a cylindrical developing tray, a reel comprising a hollow perforated core attached to one end of a chain made up of a series of apertured plates linked together, and means centrally located with respect to said tray for mounting said reel in said tray, substantially as descr'bed.

19. A reel for moving picture films comprising a core, guide members at both ends of the core, and a chain, composed of a series of plates linked together, attached to said core, substantially as described.

20. A reel for moving picture films comprising a hollow perforated core. guide members at both ends of the core disposed perpendicularly to the axis thereof, and a chain, composed of a series of apertured plates linked. together, detachably connected at one end to said core, substantially as described.

21. A reel for moving picture films comprising a hollow perforated core. guide mem bers at both ends of the core disposed perpendicularly to the axis thereof, a chain, composed of a series of apertured plates linked together, detachably connected at one end to said core, and means for fastening the free end of the chain, when the latter is coiled about the core, to the body of the coil. substantially as described.

22. In an apparatus for developing moving picture films in combination a chain adapted to support and separate the several convolutions of a coil of film and comprising plates linked together, and means for fastening the outer end of the chain to an intermediate portion thereof when the same is spirally wound.

28. In an apparatus for developing moving picture films in combination, a chain adapted to support and separate the several convolutions of a coil of film and comprising apertured metallic plates linked together, said plates having raised portions near their sides disposed longitudinally with respect to the chain for guiding the film, and means adapted to engage the raised portions of the plate at the outer end of the chain and the raised portions of an intermediate plate for fastening said outer end when the chain is spirally wound.

Qt. A developing tray for photographic films comprising a pan having an upright bolt firmly attached to an inside portion thereof, a cover for said pan with depending sides adapted to contact snugly with the sides of said pan, a hollow core firmly attached to said cover and adapted to fit over and inclose said bolt, said cover being provided with a hole to allow the threaded end of the bolt to pass therethrough, and means engaging said end of the bolt for securing the cover to the pan, substantially as described.

25. A developing tray for photographic films comprising a pan with cylindrical sides and having an upright bolt firmly attached to the central portion thereof, a cover for said pan with cylindrical depending sides adapted to engage snugly and telescopically the sides of the pan, a hollow core upon which a reel of film may be mounted attached to said cover and adapted to fit over and inclose said bolt, said cover being provided with a hole to allow the threaded end of the bolt to pass therethrough, and means engaging said end of the bolt for securing the cover to the pan, substantially as described.

26. In a device for supporting and separating the several convolutions of a coil of film comprising a chain of plates, at fastening device for said chain comprising two members each having means for engaging a portion of said chain and means of variable length for coupling said two members, substantially as described.

27. In a device for supporting and separating the several convolutions of a coil of film comprising a chain of plates having raised portions, a fastening device for said chain comprising two plates joined together by springs, said plates being provided with finger-holds and with hooks adapted to engage the raised portions of two of the first mentioned plates, substantially as described.

MAYNARD FORBES MACDONALD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

